Conqueror's Haki or Conqueror's Luck

Buggy was desperately hoping Austin would come to the rescue, but unfortunately, Austin had his own matters to attend to.

"Sorry about this, Buggy, I've got things to do. You and Shanks just hang on a bit longer."

Austin patted Buggy's shoulder, then used a Shunpo to cut his way out of the encirclement.

"Wait... wait up... damn it!!"

Buggy felt like crying but had no tears, so he could only put on a mournful face and retreat while fighting alongside Shanks.

They weren't monstrous freaks like Austin. Although the two twelve-year-olds were quite capable fighters, they were still overwhelmed by the sheer number of pirate elites.

Shanks, however, seemed more easygoing. After saying goodbye to Austin, he rejoined the fight against the charging pirates.

"Don't let up, Buggy, the enemy's coming at us again!"

"Damn it!!!"

Meanwhile, at the main battlefield of the Battle of Ed War, Roger and Shiki were clashing with their Conqueror's Haki, sending waves of black and red lightning across the battlefield, as if tearing the sky apart!

Some weaker pirates didn't even dare to approach the battlefield. After all, the sleeping seniors on the ground served as a clear warning.

The clash between the two was incredibly intense.

"Divine Departure!!!"

"Lion's Shred Valley!!!"

Their sword strikes collided. Austin, who had come to observe, didn't dare to blink, staring intently at the two swords that weren't even touching.

"No matter how many times I watch, I'm still stunned by this power!"

Conqueror's Haki Infusion!!!

Austin was going mad, enduring the residual shockwaves of two incredibly powerful Haki auras, just watching from the sidelines. He used his Observation Haki to its fullest, trying to feel this innate talent.

Facing this world-destroying power directly, Austin admitted this was the first time he felt fear.

It wasn't a weakness in his spirit or consciousness, but the instinct of a living being facing death.

He knew that if he dared to step any closer, no matter how strong his physique and Two-Colored Haki were, he would absolutely be annihilated without a trace by this power.

But Austin didn't retreat. He admitted he was taking a gamble.

And clearly, his gamble paid off.

When facing the great terror between life and death, people can often break through certain barriers.

Perhaps it was because he was too close, but dense wounds began to appear all over Austin's body. Even Armament Haki couldn't provide effective defense. A trickle of blood flowed from his seven orifices.

But Austin dared not retreat.

Because retreating now would mean a lifetime of regret!

If he retreated out of fear of someone else's Conqueror's Haki, based on Austin's understanding of this powerful aura, it would be very difficult for him to awaken it later. At best, he'd only reach Emperor's First Mate level for the rest of his life.

How could he show off or have fun then?

He absolutely refused to be someone who would be instantly killed by a single Haki-infused strike, not even reaching Admiral level. In the future, he wouldn't even be able to stand firm against Shanks without being overwhelmed by his Conqueror's Haki!

Having struggled at the bottom in his previous life, In this life, he finally had talent and a chance to become stronger.

He wanted to become the strongest man in the world!

The most flamboyant person!

The freest person!

He wanted everyone to break out in a cold sweat just hearing his name!

It was these simple thoughts filling his heart that allowed Austin to face the baptism of two world-class Conqueror's Haki without hesitation!

Boom!

Just as Shiki and Roger were fully immersed in their battle, a young but domineering will surged into the battlefield. The sudden appearance of black and red lightning caught their attention!

Shiki and Roger's eyes widened, and then they both burst into laughter.

"Kid, it seems you have ambitions to fulfill too! Join me, and I'll let the previous shot slide!"

"That won't do, Shiki! This child is one of the futures of the New Era!!!"

Rayleigh and the others, who were fighting numerous cadres in the distance, also felt this extremely pure Conqueror's Haki will and smiled.

The most surprised among them was Buggy, his hair flying in the storm of this aura, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Huh!!! Austin, he actually awakened Conqueror's Haki?!?!"

"Ah, as expected of Austin!"

Shanks, on the other hand, was much calmer, genuinely happy for his friend's progress.

However, neither of them noticed...

Among the many lackeys of the Flying Pirates in the distance, an inconspicuous pirate was holding a transponder snail.

On the other end of the transponder snail, Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"Awakening Conqueror's Haki at such a young age, this kid from the Roger Pirates, his potential might not be inferior to Roger's today!"

"I know this guy."

At the end of the desk in the Marine office, a voice sounded from behind Vice Admiral Garp, startling him and bursting his snot bubble.

"What? Is the meeting over?"

"Garp!!!"

Seeing Garp asleep again, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the current Marine Admiral, gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to get angry, he was stopped by Fleet Admiral Kong.

"Marine under Garp's command, tell us carefully."

Kuzan, sitting behind Garp, stood up and glared at the young man in a military uniform emitting black and red lightning on the transponder snail. He slowly took out a bounty poster.

"The target is named Dotol Austin, 12 years old. He is proficient in two... three types of Haki, marksmanship, and Body Technique. He is suspected to have extremely high attainments in Observation Haki, and is not ruled out as one of Great Pirate Roger's inheritors!"

If the previous information was gathered by the Marines through battles and financial resources over the years, then the last sentence was purely personal grudges.

He, a Logia Type ability user, still had a scar on his thigh that he couldn't remove.

He almost went from a future Marine Admiral to a future Marine... princess!

"Such a young monster... must be nipped in the bud!!!"

Hearing Kuzan's words, Fleet Admiral Kong's brows furrowed tightly.

There were more and more talented monsters among pirates, which was also a great challenge for the Marines, let alone a crewmate of a Great Pirate like Roger.

Now that it was confirmed he possessed Conqueror's Haki, if he were allowed to grow and learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion, The thought of another Great Pirate on Roger's level appearing in the future, Kong felt a sense of pressure for the future Marines.

"That kid on Roger's ship who carries a gun, has he grown to this point now?" Marine Hero Garp exclaimed while eating senbei.

(￣~￣) munch

"My senbei!!! Garp!!!"

Sengoku let out a Buddha-like roar.

"One by one, none of them are willing to be used by me!"

"Then die!"

"Don't talk big, Shiki!"

Bang--

Even with the awakening of Conqueror's Haki, it still didn't change the fact that Austin was a kid. Roger had no choice but to shield him.

With just the aftermath of one sword strike collision, Austin was sent flying again.

Austin adjusted his stance and, instead of recklessly returning to the center of the battlefield, he used Geppo to land beside Shanks and Buggy.

Buggy was clearly delighted to see him.

"Austin! There are too many enemies, what should we do?"

"Don't worry, Buggy!"

Austin flicked the rainwater off his sword and looked at the churning sky, as if a storm was brewing.

"You are a possessor of Conqueror's Luck, not inferior to me or Shanks!"